Ch.91Succession Method

“—Then, let’s set aside the matter of Liliane and change the succession law.”

“Your Majesty?”

Following the sudden declaration after the announcement about Liliane, all servants and courtiers, including Leclerc, are surprised.

Of course they would be bewildered.

The succession of titles—that is, the succession law that creates the inviolable power of a monarch—is so sacred that it cannot be carelessly altered. The fact that many succession laws still exist in the form of unwritten laws shows just how important a position succession law holds.

The Holy Empire, currently embroiled in civil war, had its imperial election succession law changed relatively recently, but conversely, the succession laws for all other titles have remained unchanged for hundreds of years.

Above all, even in the Holy Empire, only the imperial succession changes according to the Holy Emperor’s will, but even the Holy Emperor finds it extremely difficult to interfere with the succession of royal and ducal titles within the empire. Even excommunication doesn’t affect succession—that’s how serious it is.

‘Though they say modern laws exist solely to make governance easier for monarchs… changing laws carries a heavy political burden.’

Even though current laws can be modified according to a monarch’s will, changing something already established is quite damaging to a monarch’s dignity, whether I created it or it was passed down from predecessors.

But what if the law I want to revise is the succession law?

Unless a monarch’s authority either pierces the heavens and stars or is completely buried in mud, changing such a law is nearly impossible.

‘The older a succession law is, the more it elevates a monarch’s authority and power.’

If the person who inherited the title modifies the succession law, it would be like denying their own authority and power.

Of course, aristocratic society isn’t completely rigid, so if a law is too trivial, outdated, or malicious, revising it won’t invite much criticism.

‘And in public perception, succession laws never fall into any of those categories.’

Even a beggar from the countryside with no common sense would recognize succession as the most important matter. Succession, which signifies the transfer of power from the past, can only be considered outdated when a family line has completely died out including all collateral branches, leaving no clear successor. And there’s no point in even discussing whether it’s a bad law.

That’s why throughout history, all monarchs have never carelessly tampered with succession laws. No, they couldn’t.

“Aren’t the succession of the Duchy of Burgundy and the Kingdom of Lotharingia entirely different matters? No, since the Lotharingian royal title has no succession law, saying I’ll change it is incorrect. I will create a succession law.”

But I’m free from such constraints.

If I hadn’t obtained the Lotharingian throne, I could never have touched succession law with the label of illegitimate child attached to me. But I have ascended to the throne of Lotharingia, and this royal authority is my own unique power, not inherited from anyone.

I’m creating succession laws for the kingdom I established—what can anyone do about it?

“This is to guarantee the magnificent power and sacred authority of the monarch ruling the Kingdom of Lotharingia, and to stabilize the people’s livelihood by preventing unnecessary confusion.”

“Would there be any objections?”

I realized it as soon as I saw Liliane and Claudia.

It would be truly terrible if such cute and pitiful children became entangled in court intrigue. There’s no other way to describe it but horrific.

If they were to be caught up in the machinations of bastards who desire chaos or are interested in power, even against their own will… I don’t even want to imagine it.

Above all, I’ll eventually have sons too, and if my successor becomes embroiled in a rebellion denying succession like I was, my son would face extremely difficult choices.

Such situations must be prevented.

“The Lotharingian royal title strictly distinguishes between legitimate and illegitimate children, and princes have succession priority over princesses in all aspects. If these preceding conditions are equal, elder siblings have priority in succession rights. If an illegitimate child is officially registered in the family, their standing is placed below legitimate children regardless of age.”

So far, everyone nods in acceptance. It’s an unwritten rule that everyone naturally assumes—the most important title passes to the legitimate male heir.

Of course, some tilt their heads slightly at the official recognition of female succession, but given the atmosphere, they can’t voice any objections and simply bow their heads like the others, waiting for my next words.

“Furthermore, no titles will be inherited by anyone other than the primary successor, including the second in line. This includes not only titles but also all tangible assets and intangible rights such as property and land.”

“—?!”

As my next statement follows, the hall becomes noticeably turbulent.

Primogeniture.

A very selfish and cruel form of succession where the eldest son takes everything.

Even in modern times with reduced violence, if the eldest son inherits everything from the parents, bloody legal battles erupt between siblings—that says it all.

But isn’t being selfish better than having the kingdom completely disintegrate?

If Burgundy’s succession law were applied directly to the Kingdom of Lotharingia, all my sons except the one inheriting the prime title of Lotharingia would equally divide everything I own—property, titles, direct territories, and even the army.

‘That cannot happen.’

It’s a structure that inevitably weakens with each generation.

No matter how small the inheritance, children will tear it apart to the limit, which inevitably leads to national weakening, collapse, and dissolution.

It’s no coincidence that Europe had so many small states. In old fairy tales, there are many neighboring princes and princesses, but in reality, they might as well have been the sons and daughters of village headmen.

All monarchs knew this problem, but succession laws, which could be considered higher in authority than the current monarch, were very difficult to change, and no one could easily touch them due to rebellion from children and relatives.

But as I mentioned earlier, I have no such constraints.

Lotharingia is a kingdom I created, not inherited from anyone. My children are infants, and though I have relatives, they have no succession rights to the Lotharingian royal title.

Of course, giving nothing at all to my children would make their lives extremely difficult, so I’ll provide allowances and some land that won’t affect the successor, but that’s pocket money, not inheritance, so it’s unrelated to succession law.

“Naturally, the children of higher succession right holders take precedence over lower succession right holders and their children. If the King of Lotharingia dies without producing an appropriate successor, the royal title passes to the next male sibling of the same legitimate line. If that male sibling is dead, it passes to his children; if none exist, to a female sibling; if none exist, to her children, and so on. If none of these options are viable, succession goes to the closest relative by blood and highest in generation to the deceased king. If all conditions are equal among potential successors, age becomes the criterion.”

I continue speaking, ignoring the commotion among the courtiers and servants.

No matter how surprised they are, they couldn’t make noise while the king was speaking, so the noisy hall quickly quiets down.

“Finally, if there is a risk of the Lotharingian throne passing to a foreign country, that successor is excluded from succession.”

“Your Majesty, does that mean…?”

“It means if the successor is already ruling as a monarch in another country, or has married another monarch and had children, and so forth.”

I remember quite a few wars on Earth for reasons like the War of Spanish Succession, so such safeguards are absolutely necessary to prevent such situations.

Of course, there’s no problem with us acquiring foreign thrones. It might seem like a double standard, but double standards are human nature, so it can’t be helped.

“I will not accept objections. This is a decision I’ve made after careful consideration, and only the monarch can handle matters of royal succession.”

“…Understood. Long live the King.”

At my firm response, the courtiers and servants fall silent. Of course, besides being firm, my words are also strictly orthodox, which is a major reason.

No matter how strong the feudal character makes the power of vassals, challenging a monarch’s rightful and sacred right to determine succession could easily be interpreted as picking a life-or-death fight with that monarch.

“You shall codify what I have said and distribute it to all vassals. Ah, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to engrave it on a gold plate and attach it behind the throne to prevent any misunderstandings.”

“It shall be done immediately, Your Majesty.”

I can’t guarantee it’s the best solution… but it’s the best I can do.

Of course, second sons and beyond who don’t inherit territorial titles will feel severe deprivation, but it can’t be helped.

Instead, if they want money, I’ll give them money; if they want pleasure, pleasure; if they want honor, honor—everything except titles with actual power. I hope they all grow up happily.